Science from the Edge of Space

For the recent annular and total solar eclipses, the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) immersed student teams in an innovative NASA-mission-like adventure in data acquisition and analysis through scientific ballooning. NEBP is unique in that it is an education project that has significant science objectives. First and foremost, NEBP focused on providing a career-changing hands-on experience for diverse participants. NEBP’s overarching science question was how the fast-moving cold, dark shadow of the moon on the earth during the daytime affects the atmosphere. By observing how the atmosphere reacts in the special eclipse cases, we can understand more about the atmosphere in general, which can help us better predict the weather and model climate change. In this presentation, Dr. Des Jardins will describe preliminary science results and NEBP educational impacts.

Dr. Angela Des Jardins, a solar physicist by training, is the Director of the Montana Space Grant Consortium and Montana NASA EPSCoR and is a Physics Research Professor at Montana State University. Angela is passionate about enabling others, especially young people interested in STEAM. For example, Angela is the innovator of the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, which engages thousands of higher education students in mission-like experiences during solar eclipses. Angela finds great joy in being with her kids and being able to work on space topics while remaining in Montana. She is currently in Zambia for one year as a Fulbright Scholar.

This event is online-only. Please register HERE to receive a Zoom link.

This event is supported by a National Endowment of the Humanities’ Spotlight on Humanities grant for Plymouth State University’s Sustainability Studies program.